Dear Families/Caregivers and Staff,
Please note that along with the Hybrid model there is a 100% remote option for families that choose not to send their children to school.
Thank you
Dr. Jonathan Ponds
Superintendent
Science & Technology Magnet
|
Dear Families/Caregivers and Staff,
Please note that along with the Hybrid model there is a 100% remote option for families that choose not to send their children to school.
Thank you
Dr. Jonathan Ponds
Superintendent
|
Dear Families/Caregivers and Staff,
Click here for a PDF of this message
We are rapidly approaching September, and I wanted to provide you with an update on how and why we have come to formulate these next steps. This week all design teams met both individually and jointly to assess and construct our plans that will be submitted to the state for approval. Our goal is to create a safe reopening format that best meets the needs of all students, staff and families. Some of those needs were expressed in the survey data in which we found that 70% of our families prefer an in-person, hybrid model, 30% would like solely remote and approximately 25% said they would continue to use bussing.
Proposed Model
Using this survey data to guide us and understanding that the safety and health of students, staff, and families are our top priorities, we designed a hybrid model of in-person and remote instruction for students when the 2020-21 school year begins in September. This model will consist of A and B Groups of students, that we will call the Mounties and the Bulldogs, allowing for safe numbers in schools for social distancing purposes. Additionally, school will be in session for a four-hour day of instruction with lunch available for grab and go at the end of the day. The schedule will work as follows:
Childcare/K-2 and Special Needs
We are working with our partners to plan for childcare and the YMCA will continue to provide before- and after-care for our students. We are also exploring ways to use the YMCA for childcare and helping children with remote learning on Wednesdays as this is a day of full remote services. We continue to investigate how we can offer a full week of in-person learning for Grades K -2 and our students with special needs.
Collaboration
This plan continues to be fluid as we watch the latest data and information from the Governor’s Office and the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). The model we have outlined was created with parents, teachers, students, community partners, school board members, custodians, transportation, and administrators weighing in. We are particularly thankful for the collaboration and critical input of the Montclair Education Association and the Mayor’s office as we continue to work together on the many details needed going forward.
Delivery of Instruction
Online learning presents challenges, and we realize that instruction implemented this past spring will need to improve substantially. Every student and family deserve to be engaged and supported and this means ensuring every child has a device and internet connectivity along with remote instruction in a consistent, uniform manner. Rest assured that we are focusing on the critical core subject areas to ensure that all instruction is high-quality, rigorous, and meaningful. Our staff will be addressing the impact of learning loss during the pandemic to provide academic review for all students. Additionally, we are exploring creative ways for teaching in outdoor spaces and working with our partners to incorporate electives into the schedules.
We are keenly aware that a virtual environment cannot fully replace an engaging, active classroom; however, our teams are committed to building rigor in our remote learning, establishing a consistent platform for delivery of that instruction, and providing our teachers with high-quality professional development so that they can appropriately use the necessary remote tools.
Safety and Health
The safety and health of students and staff will always be our overarching priorities. We are cleaning and sanitizing all buildings and classrooms and establishing procedures for how to take breaks safely during the day, use classroom supplies, build in handwashing time, and take temperatures before entering the school. Students and staff will be expected to wear masks and classrooms are set up to provide six feet of separation among desks. All of our safety protocols will be in alignment with the NJDOE and the Governor’s Office guidance along with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control, the Montclair Health Department and our school physician.
MHS Interim Principal Announcement
I am honored to announce that Ms. Terry Trigg-Scales has agreed to serve our district once again as its Interim High School Principal. Ms. Scales recently held this role in 2018. She has over 38 years’ experience in our schools and rose through the ranks serving as teacher, assistant principal, principal, director of curriculum and finally as Assistant Superintendent for the Department of Instruction until her retirement. She currently sits on the Board of Education in West Orange, is an educational consultant and a member of several county organizations. Please join me in welcoming Ms. Scales back to the district and Montclair High School.
We understand this is a lot of information to absorb. Your feedback and insight are welcomed, and we will be sending another survey in August as we continue to reevaluate our plans.
This is a community-wide effort and to see this collaboration is both energizing and promising.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jonathan Ponds
Superintendent
|
Think counting every person in the United States is impossible? Think again.
In fact, the very first U.S. census was all the way back in 1790! Every 10 years, every person in the United States (including adults, children, babies, citizens and immigrants) is counted through the census. This isn’t just so we know the population makeup. Census data is used to determine representation in Congress, state legislatures and school boards, and—critically—it’s also used to determine how much federal funding should flow to children’s programs in states and communities.
Programs such as Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Title I and IDEA special education funding rely on accurate census counts to help allocate over $800 billion a year in federal funds. The 2020 Census will have lasting effects on crucial programs that serve our children and families.
So, what can you do to help ensure an accurate count in the 2020 Census?
You can complete the census questionnaire online, by phone or by mail, and every home should have received an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census by April 1.
Worried about sharing your data? Rest assured that when responding to the census, your privacy is protected. By law, the Census Bureau cannot publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or your household nor can your responses be used against you or shared with any other government agency.
Even though accurate census data is crucially important for our children and families, our littlest ones are often missed in the census. Don’t overlook the youngest members of your household.
By not accurately counting newborn babies and other young children, you can negatively impact support for programs such as health insurance, hospitals, childcare, food assistance, schools and early childhood development. This 2020 Census, make sure to count everyone living or sleeping in your home, including your little ones!
National PTA is deeply committed to making sure Congress supports continued and equitable investments in our nation’s children and families. That’s why we advocate every day to make every child’s potential a reality. The 2020 Census is part of that effort. Let’s help ensure all children are counted so they have the tools and resources they need to thrive.
https://2020census.gov/
View this post on Instagram@mikewileyproductions taught us about Henry “Box” Brown today. Thanks PTA!
A post shared by Buzz Aldrin MS (@buzzaldrinms) on